Ex player as BCCI boss certainly looks at things differently

Without a doubt, the primary responsibility of the Board of Control for Cricket in India is to run the game in the country. Obviously the game of cricket cannot be played without participants, who form the key ingredient of the eclectic mix that unfolds on the sacred 22 yards in the middle of a fairly vast expanse of green.

Even as the game and its popularity in India rocketed sky high since the famous 1983 ICC World Cup triumph, players received rather lukewarm treatment from the BCCI, almost like a necessary irritant that must be suffered. Remunerations for international cricketers was nothing to write home about till a few years ago and with brand endorsements unheard of except for the lucky handful, sports was a fair distance away from being a profession.

Things began to change slowly and international players soon began to be rewarded with graded central contracts which made cricket a viable option to make a living. 

And now former India captain Sourav Ganguly, in his present capacity as the BCCI president, has made the best possible move to make a similar offer to the hundreds toiling in the domestic circuit. After all the strength of domestic cricket reflects in the talent on the international stage and the nursery certainly needs to be looked after.

It took a pandemic to make the BCCI wake up to the struggles of the domestic cricketer but better late than never. The Board has to now work out the modalities of implementation through the member state associations who are the direct "employers" at the domestic level.

The first step states need to ensure is their adherence of the new BCCI constitution that was drafted and implemented though the Supreme Court of India. Of course, there are proposed changes awaiting ratification by the SC, most importantly the states need to be seen as serious about following the new charter.

Domestic cricket forms the backbone of the supply chain and the success of players from Tier II and Tier III towns has made the toiler dream big.

And why not? After all, performance has been rewarded handsomely in the past and will continue to do so as long as India wants to remain a top contender in world cricket.

States, however, will need clear guidelines on the contracts / retainers rather than have them doled out as favours. Since money will come directly from the BCCI coffers, the board must maintain a strict vigil against its misuse. Domestic contracts cannot be used a favours by states for its chosen few but must be a reward for consistent performance as is the case with the international players on central contracts.

The lot of the domestic player is bound to start looking up and that is sure to make playing cricket even more lucrative. Even if a player were to miss international selection, performances at the domestic level will carry its own rewards. 

Just or not may be left for the future to judge but at least its a promising start.